Location

Contact

SUMMARY

Dr. Benzo is the founding director of the Mindful Breathing Laboratory, which develops and tests interventions that promote a participatory model of care, fosters self-awareness and consciousness of human behavior, and studies the impact of these interventions on biologic markers and health outcomes.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are the main chronic conditions studied. However, interventions in other chronic diseases processes, such as heart failure and chronic pain syndromes, are also being considered.

Dr. Benzo is part of the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center at Mayo Clinic, where his work on mindfulness and meditation is utilized.

Focus areas

Current research projects include:

Effect of motivational interviewing-based counseling for self-care and pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after being hospitalized for an acute exacerbation (Dr. Benzo PI: RO1 National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Significance to patient care

The beneficial effect of conscious breathing and awareness of the breath has been proposed for centuries. Bridging the ancient knowledge with new science is at the core of Dr. Benzo's research in the Mindful Breathing Lab.

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.